Masonic Musings #33
My apologies, apparently this was posted but not emailed last week. So as a treat you’ll get two tonight, this one and Musings #34 in about an hour as it’s already queued up.
There are a lot of things that are pointed to that make the Masonic Fraternity special and unique, however there is one thing though that we share with many other organizations, the shared experience of initiation.
Whether it's a new club, school, or workplace, there is that initial period where you're you transition from being an outsider to a member. That time when you "learn the ropes," and go through things for the first time. It's a rite of passage and while they may not be as formal or have the potential to change you and your outlook in profound ways they create a bond with those around you.
Freemasonry is no different, we call that rite of passage, "going through your degrees," and while some many not think about it, it's something we've been doing for hundreds of years (my own Lodge dates back nearly 200 years at this point). It's an experience that many don't realize the significance of until well after they've been through it.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to sit and witness the Brethren of Region One of DeMolay confer their two degrees and it's what caused me to think about the significance of the shared experience of initiation. As I looked on I saw my son, the State Master Councilor for New Hampshire lead the young men of Region on in the ceremonies and saw him obligate four new members. DeMolay is only 100 years old (founded in 1919) but here were many young men continuing and sharing in the same experiences that previous generations, like myself and my father before me had done.
These shared experiences help to build bonds with each other, not just those in the room, but those that have also been through or will go through the same. I know that my own bonds with my family's previous generations changed when I went through my degrees and I know they did for my son as well. It's also been an honor to call many others Brother over the years and have that instant kinship that can only come through having been through similar experiences.
Yes, initiations are important, in more ways than one and every time I sit though one it reminds me of the greater brotherhood I belong to and how we are all connected.